Youth Rising event at Youth Alliance. Photo by Camille Mattish.
Youth Rising event at Youth Alliance. Photo by Camille Mattish.

This article was written by BenitoLink intern Camille Mattish. Lea este articulo en español aquí.

The nonprofit Youth Alliance celebrated youth leadership with the community on May 2 in a gathering called Youth Rising. Eight Youth Alliance members were recognized for their growth, engagement, strong leadership and transformation. Six other members received scholarships.

Youth Alliance provides services to youth and families, and the event was offered in both Spanish and English translation.

Scholarship recipient and Hollister High student Alondra Medina said that Youth Alliance is “a way to connect with my culture and traditions.”

Award recipient Rocky Gonzalez said the group has “helped me grow into ways that I never thought I’d grow. I’ve grown stronger mentally, physically, emotionally.”

Scholarships

Tony Ruiz Scholarship

  • Frida Chavarin-Lara
  • Cristal Fernanda Garcia
  • Viridinana Vasquez de Jesus

Jo Barrios Wahdan Scholarship

  • Sujey Avila
  • Belen Garcia
  • Alondra Medina

Awards

Engage Award

  • Alina Patiño 
  • Juan Alcantar

Grow Award

  • Alex Palencia
  • Perla Ochoa Escamilla

Transform Award

  • Rocky Gonzalez
  • Jeremy Bettencourt

Lead Award

  • Deja Perez
  • Gabriel Mendez
Youth Rising event at Youth Alliance. Photo by Camille Mattish.
Youth Rising event at Youth Alliance. Photo by Camille Mattish.

Youth Alliance recently received a $500,000 grant from the Monterey Peninsula Foundation. The funds will be used to buy a new property to house the Youth Impact Center, Director of Development Eduardo Navarro told attendees. 

Youth Alliance is mostly looking at properties near Hollister High School as a lot its members attend there, Navarro said.  

The group is currently located at the corner of Fourth and San Benito streets.

Navarro said Youth Alliance has a campaign with a goal to raise $8 million in the next three years to purchase land and build the Youth Impact Center. 

“This initial investment by the Monterey Peninsula Foundation will help catapult Youth Alliance forward into property acquisition, pre-development costs and, eventually, construction and renovation,” Navarro said.

He said Youth Alliance is in search of a property that will fit the needs of its members and provide community access. He added that there are multiple properties under consideration.

Navarro said Youth Alliance hopes to have selected a property within the next month.

Monterey Peninsula Foundation Philanthropy Program Manager Ambry Capistrano said the foundation has been a “proud supporter” of Youth Alliance for over 15 years.

The BenitoLink Internship Program is a paid, skill-building program that prepares local youth for a professional career. This program is supported by Monterey Peninsula Foundation AT&T Golf Tour, United Way, Taylor Farms and the Emma Bowen Foundation.